When can my baby go in a pool?

Even pools that look pristine can harbor dangers for infants. Pools can easily be contaminated with bacteria that cause diarrhea, which can be very dangerous for a young infant.

"For newborns younger than 2 months we really worry about immunity – how vulnerable babies are to illness – so I recommend that parents not take their young infants into swimming pools, lakes, the ocean, and so on," says Howard Reinstein, a pediatrician in Encino, California and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Also keep in mind that babies have more skin relative to their weight when compared with older children, which means babies' body temperature can change very quickly. Because your baby won't be big enough to regulate his body temperature very well until he's about 12 months old, make sure the water's warm enough for him.

"If the water feels chilly to you, it will be really cold for your baby," Dr. Reinstein says. For your baby to be comfortable, the temperature of pool water should be between 85 and 87 degrees Fahrenheit. If he starts shivering, it's time to get out.

It can also be dangerous if the water is too hot. Hot tubs, spas, and pools heated to more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit are off limits to children younger than 3. Young children overheat more quickly than adults, and the high temperatures in hot tubs can cause a child's heart to race or pose other dangers.

And of course there's the issue of water safety: Drowning and near drowning are leading causes of death and injury for young children. Keep the following safety tips in mind when you're around any body of water with your child:

The AAP recommends "touch supervision," meaning that an adult stays within arm's reach of an infant or toddler at all times whenever a child is in or near a body of water.

Always hold your baby in the pool, and don't wade into water too deep for you to maintain firm footing.

As soon as your child learns to walk, start teaching him not to run when he's near a pool. Also emphasize that he must never enter the water without an adult nearby to supervise.

Never rely on inflatable toys (like water wings) to keep your child safe from drowning. Have your child wear a personal flotation device (PFD) that fits properly and is approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. He should wear the PFD at all times in and around water.

Check out the Coast Guard's website for a list of manufacturers that make PFDs for young children and tips on how to use flotation devices safely.

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